Material Issue

Biography

Belonging to the pop rock tradition of Tom Petty and Big Star, Material Issue arrived in the mid-80s from Chicago, Illinois, USA, to great critical fanfare. The band comprised songwriter Jim Ellison (James Walter Ellison, 18 April 1964, USA, d. 20 June 1996, Chicago, Illinois, USA; vocals/guitar, previously a member of fellow Chicago band Green), Fred Ansani (bass/vocals) and Michael Zeleneko (drums). Material Issue was a six-track mini-album, co-produced by Jeff Murphy of the Shoes. The promise was confirmed with the arrival of their first full-length album, released by Mercury Records, which illustrated Ellisons flair for power pop composition; the songs recalled a golden age of US pop, with a focus on guys and girls that was both heartfelt and innocent. Further albums confirmed Ellisons talent but failed to sell, and the bands career ended in tragedy when he committed suicide in June 1996. The demos for Material Issues fourth album were...